No-work jobs in a mob-linked union could add nearly $100 million to the public cost of rebuilding Ground Zero, a new report charges.

The Real Estate Board of New York, a major developers' group, says antiquated rules let a cadre of crane and heavy equipment workers pocket six-figure paychecks for little more than showing up.

In the next three years the no-work jobs, controlled by Locals 14 and 15 of the Operating Engineers, could add $96.2 million to the cost of World Trade Center projects, the REBNY says.

The projects include the Freedom Tower, the transit hub, the 9/11 Memorial and surrounding street work.

Contractor and union sources confirmed that the eight tower cranes at the WTC site guarantee a bonanza for Local 14 operating engineers and the Local 15 specialists who fix them.
On one day in mid-March, for example, contractors said 56 of 204 Local 14 and Local 15 employees on site held no-work jobs.

The board compiled the statistics in the runup to contract talks with the operating engineers and all the city's construction unions, which start next month.

Local 14 and 15 officials did not return calls seeking comment.

Many of the jobs are vestiges of an era in which the Colombo and Genovese crime families controlled Locals 14 and 15. Local 14 has been under a federal monitor since 2009.

One example is the full-time Local 14 "master mechanics" the contractor must hire whenever five pieces of heavy equipment or three tower cranes are in use.

With a $135,000 base salary, a master mechanic can make a staggering $405,000 a year with overtime that's guaranteed by six-day, 12- to 16-hour-a-day schedules. Welfare benefits, insurance and other costs hike the annual bill to $700,000 for that one mechanic.

It's a ridiculous requirement, REBNY says, because the manufacturer or crane owner does the repairs, not the contractor's master mechanics.

Instead, they are glorified shop stewards, a part-time job in most unions. With three required on site a day, that should cost about $6.3 million through 2013, the board says.

Master mechanic Carl Carrara Sr., identified as a Genovese associate, was charged in a 2003 racketeering conspiracy as the mob's point man in a no-show scam at the Museum of Modern Art.

He and six other master mechanics pleaded guilty that year in two cases that put much of Local 14 and 15's leadership behind bars.

Local 15 demands a similar piece of the action via "®maintenance engineers." They're required on site full time when a master mechanic is there and three major pieces of equipment are operating in case any machines need fixing.

"There is nothing for these guys to do," a World Trade Center construction supervisor said. Eliminating that requirement would save $7.5 million over three years at Ground Zero, REBNY says.

Then there's the Local 15 position of "crane oiler," a relic from the days when equipment needed frequent lubrication. An oiler is required on site when any tower crane is in use.

Today, the oiler simply fires up the crane at the start of work. With overtime, he can earn more than $100,000 a year.

And there's Local 14's "stationary equipment operator," with one assigned to each compressor, welding machine and spray fireproofer in use. With overtime, they pull down about $110,000 a year, REBNY estimated.

A World Trade Center construction supervisor who asked not to be identified said technology has reduced the job to two simple functions: "They turn the machine on in the morning and turn it off at night," the supervisor said. "They are basically non-essential."

REBNY wants the city to loosen the union's influence over who gets licensed to operate heavy machinery.

Now, only operators with city licenses can work here, and applicants must train with city crane operators - virtually all union workers. That gives the two locals a stranglehold on major projects.

"Locals 14 and 15 have the hammer. They have the power to shut down a job," said Steven Spinola, president of REBNY, which wants to be able to hire nationally licensed crane operators.

4 comments:

As usual...loudmouth CM desk jockeys with not much more to do themselves (other than affixing their Cover Sheet over the RFI, Submittal, CO etc). CM's have pretend jobs too...go to mtg., take bs one sided minutes & take a week to shit them out, hide in trailer all day & then beat up others to justify their own existance.EXCERPT BELOW___________________________________A World Trade Center construction supervisor who asked not to be identified said technology has reduced the job to two simple functions: "They turn the machine on in the morning and turn it off at night," the supervisor said. "They are basically non-essential."

REBNY wants the city to loosen the union's influence over who gets licensed to operate heavy machinery.

Now, only operators with city licenses can work here, and applicants must train with city crane operators - virtually all union workers. That gives the two locals a stranglehold on major projects.

"Locals 14 and 15 have the hammer. They have the power to shut down a job," said Steven Spinola, president of REBNY, which wants to be able to hire nationally licensed crane operators.___________________________________NICE - OK Smartass CM, off the record contributor...SHOW ME the OWNERS MANUAL from the CRANE OUTFIT THAT SAYS THIS....you can't.

Point 2) What is on the CRITICAL PATH scheduling wise that goes into the Freedom Tower....shit Sherlock, that would be Everything

Point 3) If a machine goes down for 1-day.....What are the resulatant lossses to All other Trades in terms of Productivity? Hint, you do not lose 1-day from the Schedule, the Impact is far greater

Point 4) What will it cost in Overtime for item 3 Man-Hours Lost?

Point 5) What are the Daily Liquidated Damages from Silverstein & the Port Authority?

Point 6) What are the Revenue Losses to the Port Authority? Will the LD's cover them or will there be lawsuits? H'mmm___________________________________

The Article is being used but for one purpose - To Drive Down Wages & Benefits via negotiating with BTEA.

The Crane Operators are getting what they get because it is a skilled position, requires years of training and there are huge monetary Liabilities and penalties which will be imposed, not to mention the inherent risk & liability from setting a crane up, hoisting materials & finishing a 104 Story Hi-Rise w/o killing someone, so some do-nothing weasel can get a good press release.

This clown would prefer to bring in non-union assholes that work like retards and endanger lives....like the ya-hoos down South....Yee Ha.

Fuck the Rats & the CM's, your wives & kids expect you home for Dinner. Let the Pencil Neck go back to writing his useless meeting minutes which you can all but wipe your ass with (contractually & legally speaking).

What about all the years of design changes those are free? Brothers and Sisters this is a lot of bs posturing. Funny how these associations never complained about mob ties and antiquated rules all these years. Oh but now with an oppurtunity to bust unions and screw the working man the rich are all onboard. Hey GC's and PM's you had better think about all that shit you talk to the subs about how expensive their labor is cause your the useless part of me completing my contractual agreements. As a matter of fact your the ones who never have anything ready for subs to run a sucessful job.So youre USELESS to the Subs and the Contractors so FUCK OFF!!!!

I would ask that if you would like to leave a comment that you think of Local 157 Blogspot as your online meeting hall and that you wouldn’t say anything on this site that you wouldn’t, say at a union meeting. Constructive criticism is welcome, as we all benefit from such advice. Obnoxious comments are not welcome.

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My work has been appropriately concluded. I am largely satisfied with the condition of the District Council, even more so with that of the Benefit Funds. I have endeavored to assist both in the pursuit of a prosperous future for their constituents. That is their solemn responsibility.

Let the bells ring. Though there is much good news, there are those for whom my departure is reason enough for celebration. But I hope that there are also those who reflect on what has been wrought, and on the simple question: what now?

To those who will continue to accept the imperative of working hard and meeting the challenges facing the Union with courage, energy and intellect, but most of all with honor, I will say well done.

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